Thomas Davis's
Ballad Poetry of Ireland and
The History of Ireland both focus on Irish nationalism and independence. During our tours of the Dail and the Gaol, we were able to learn more about the Irish nationalism that fueled the Easter rising and the Irish civil war. Davis's writing described Ireland's strife to acquire a "native government which shall know and rule by might and right of all; yet yield to the arrogance of none" (75). Thus, Irish people were proud of their heritage and felt they deserved independence from Britain. Our tour guide at the Dail, showed us the declaration signed by several Irish men to establish an Irish republic. Although during the 1916 Easter Rising the men worked to "win Ireland and keep it," their attempts were unsuccessful. As a result, they ended up in the Kilmainham Gaol. Of the 1916 leaders, fourteen of them were shot and killed in May. Despite their defeat, the Irish vowed their fight for independence was not over.
Along with the Dail and Kilmainham Gaol, we were able to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, The National Archaeological Museum, The National History Museum, the Book of Kells, and The Guinness Storehouse. St. Patrick's Cathedral was incredibly colorful and elaborate (even the floor was beautiful). In the Archaeological Museum, we were able to see several "bog bodies." Although these bodies lived during the Iron Age, they still had skin and internal organs due to the bog's conditions that allowed for preservation. Further, archaeologists have analyzed these bodies and have come to the assumption that the bog bodies are associated with kingship rituals during the Iron Age. Next, at the National History Museum we were able to look at numerous small and large animals, which was kind of creepy. Some of the animals were much older, but a few of them were only a few decades old which made them look even more life-like. After that, we went to see the Book of Kells in Trinity College. The Book of Kells is an elaborately hand-decorated book of the four gospels. Trinity displays one page of illustration and two pages of manuscript. They turn the pages each day to display a new decoration and script. The books were amazing. We were able to see a portrait of St. Matthew during our visit. Finally, we visited the Guinness Storehouse. The Storehouse was very modern and unique architecturally, and it provided unique displays of the ingredients and steps for making the stout. Along with a tour, we were able to learn how to pour our own pints of Guinness, which is quite a unique process that involves picking the right glass, angling it in a certain way, filling it three-quarters of the way, letting it settle, and then topping it off. We all graduated with "Perfect Pint" certificates from Guinness Pouring 101. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures in the museums or the Book of Kells. However, I was able to take pictures of St. Patrick's, the Gaol, and Guinness.
Thomas Davis's Ballad Poetry of Ireland and The History of Ireland both focus on Irish nationalism and independence. During our tours of the Dail and the Gaol, we were able to learn more about the Irish nationalism that fueled the Easter rising and the Irish civil war. Davis's writing described Ireland's strife to acquire a "native government which shall know and rule by might and right of all; yet yield to the arrogance of none" (75). Thus, Irish people were proud of their heritage and felt they deserved independence from Britain. Our tour guide at the Dail, showed us the declaration signed by several Irish men to establish an Irish republic. Although during the 1916 Easter Rising the men worked to "win Ireland and keep it," their attempts were unsuccessful. As a result, they ended up in the Kilmainham Gaol. Of the 1916 leaders, fourteen of them were shot and killed in May. Despite their defeat, the Irish vowed their fight for independence was not over. 
Along with the Dail and Kilmainham Gaol, we were able to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, The National Archaeological Museum, The National History Museum, the Book of Kells, and The Guinness Storehouse. St. Patrick's Cathedral was incredibly colorful and elaborate (even the floor was beautiful). In the Archaeological Museum, we were able to see several "bog bodies." Although these bodies lived during the Iron Age, they still had skin and internal organs due to the bog's conditions that allowed for preservation. Further, archaeologists have analyzed these bodies and have come to the assumption that the bog bodies are associated with kingship rituals during the Iron Age. Next, at the National History Museum we were able to look at numerous small and large animals, which was kind of creepy. Some of the animals were much older, but a few of them were only a few decades old which made them look even more life-like. After that, we went to see the Book of Kells in Trinity College. The Book of Kells is an elaborately hand-decorated book of the four gospels. Trinity displays one page of illustration and two pages of manuscript. They turn the pages each day to display a new decoration and script. The books were amazing. We were able to see a portrait of St. Matthew during our visit. Finally, we visited the Guinness Storehouse. The Storehouse was very modern and unique architecturally, and it provided unique displays of the ingredients and steps for making the stout. Along with a tour, we were able to learn how to pour our own pints of Guinness, which is quite a unique process that involves picking the right glass, angling it in a certain way, filling it three-quarters of the way, letting it settle, and then topping it off. We all graduated with "Perfect Pint" certificates from Guinness Pouring 101. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures in the museums or the Book of Kells. However, I was able to take pictures of St. Patrick's, the Gaol, and Guinness. 
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